Ella Bledsoe 69, works with occupational therapist Stacy Castleberry in Germantown, Tenn. Bledsoe is working to regain use of her right arm after a stroke.

Written by

Sandra Miller

At age 30, I was diagnosed with high blood pressure. I wasn't surprised - it runs rampant in my family - but I was irritated to have to take a pill every day.

Around my 35th birthday, I started working out with a trainer three to four days a week. I changed my eating habits and felt the best I had felt in my life. I decided I didn't need that blood pressure pill anymore, and stopped taking the medication. ...